Overhead-acting grille



Jan. 7; 1936.` M. l.. CORNELL 2,027,153 OVERHEAD 4Mmm GRILLE Filed oct. 3o', 193s s sheets-sheet 1 lig/ENTOR\ i BY y MMzw/ml Jan. 7, 1936. f M. L. CORNELL 2,027,153

OVERHEADl ACTING GRILLE Filed Oct.- 5o. 193s s sheets-sheet 2 ffl w 11| 3.4L .MIIIIHHIIIHII 2g NvENToR r BY Agro??? Jan. 7, 1936'. M. L. coRNELL 2,027,153

l I OVERHEAD' ACTING GRILLE Filed oct. so, l195s 3 sheets-sheet s,

[(7- ENOR l q( ATTORNEY/ Patented Jan. 7, 1 936 OFFICE ovEnnEAn-ACTING Gamm A r Milton L. Cornell, New York, N. Y., assigner to -Cornell Iron Works, Inc., Long Island City,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 30, 1933, Serial No. 695,794

`11 Claims. (C l. 18S- 56) p Thisinvention relates to overhead-acting clo- 4sures or doors, and more particularly to closures in the Iform of a fiexible grille.y

A general object of the invention is to provide an overhead-acting closure having improved and advantageous characteristics, especially as to rapidity and economy of manufacture. coupled with considerable strength and security in the protection of openingsl More particular objects of the invention are to provide a closure for doorways, store fronts, windows and the like, comprising a flexible grille which is adapted to-be rolled about4 a horizontal shaft, and having characteristic features ensuring its facile and certain operation as it is being raised and lowered.

Further objects are to provide an overheadacting flexible grille of attractive appearance, having a secure and conveniently accessible locking means' which harmonizes with the rest of the grille.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts,- which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, contracted, front elevation of a doorway equipped with agrille type closure embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical Vsectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation, taken along line 3 3 of Fig, '4, showing one sideofa grille embodying features of the invention, a portion of the appurtenant. guideway being broken away more clearly to show the structure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of a portion of a griller, part of the appurtenant guideway being brokeni away;

Fig..v 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken .'along line 5`5 of Fig. 4; l

, Fig. 6 is'a perspective l used` in" the grille, part thereof being broken view of lan end link awayfto illustrate its sectional construction;

I isafragmentary lsideelevation showing 1 the upper portion of the end guides for the f Viiexible grille;

,Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 8-8 'of Fig. 'I i 5 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of a i portion of a grille, illustrating one form of lock construction;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line Ill- I0 of Fig. 9; y

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation showing another forni of locking device:V

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation showling the locking device of Fig. 11 in locked position; l 15 Fig. 13` is a fragmentary end elevation, generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing another form of construction;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation showing a portion of the grille illustrated in Fig. 13; 20 and f Fig. 15 is a fragmentary `perspective view showing details of the construction.

There are many types of buildingsfsuch as garages, warehouses, and the like, wherein the utilization of overhead-acting or rolling doors proves advantageous. These closures, 4in this country, have usually been made of solid panel or slat commotion. In many cases, the use of overhead-acting closures in the fon'n of open- 30 work grilles is desirable, and, indeed, in some parts of Europe, this latter form of closure is prevalent. Previous designs of these grilles have been such as to reduce the extent of their use in `suming intricate assembly or `laborious welding,

or have involved methods of holding the' links in position which required intricate bracing con- 40 struction running'into excessive costs. In order practically toutlize open-workigrllles of this general type in Vthis country, where the scales of compensation are relatively high, it is desirable to provide a grille'which can be readilyas- 45 sembled with a minimum amount of labor, preferably by` means of machinery. Grilles embodying features of the present invention are thus designed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to Fig. 1, there is shown a flexible grille adapted, wheninV unrolled vertical position, to eil'ect closure of a door Opening. AThis grille comprises a series of lateral rods 20 ilexibly connected by a plurality of links 2l, each provided 55 at its end with perforate eyes 22 through which the lateral rods engage in rotatable relation. These rods and links are preferably made of cylindrical metallic stock, of a. suitable size to secure lightness coupled with requisite strength. Stock on the order of s inch diameter is satisfactory, although other gauges may be employed as desired. It will be understood that the fragmentary drawing shown in Fig. 1 is considerably contracted, and that in a preferred form of grille the lateral rods 2l may be spaced apart approximately 2 inches While adjacent links between any two rods may be spaced about 7 inches. The links connecting a given rod with that next above it are staggered with respect to those links connecting such rod to the one below, as illustrated. The links 2i are kept from sliding along rods 20 by means ofknobs 23 which may be pinched or struck up from the stock of rod 2p after the links have been threaded thereover into their proper position. This operation can'be performed with suitable known power machines, and all of the links along a given rod may be rotatably anchored thereon in a single pinching or striking operation.

At their lateral extremities rods .2@ are pivotably connected by end links 2t (Figs. 3 to 6). At their ends, these links have eye portions 25 and 26 which are perforate so as rotatably to accommodate the rods, and which are offset from each other with respect to the longitudinal center line of the link, to enable adjacent links to be arranged with their eye portions in overlapping relation, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, while maintaining their body portions in substantial alignment. This central body portion of each link is provided along its forward edge with a V-shaped male rib 21, and has along its rear edge a corresponding V-shapedfemale groove 28. These end links, when assembled on the rods 26, are prevented from sliding inwardly therealong by knobs 23 similar to those already described, and are conned against outward movement by means of spring clips 29` which are sprung over suitable nicks or notches which may be conveniently provided near the ends of the rods. This construction is subject to readier manufacture than other devices such as cotterpins.

The described male and female ribs. and grooves m21 and,- 28 are, when the grille is rolled spirally about a horizontal shaft, adapted to nest within one another, and maintain the several end links and their attached grille parts in A similar arrangement of v type here contemplated.

The end links 24, during their vertical traverse, are respectively conned within side guides 30, located at opposite sides of the grille. These guides are of channel construction, and have their inner side equipped with inturned flanges 3l which serve to conne the links 2d while permitting free vertical movement of the relatively narrow rods 20. The side guides 30 are respectivelysurrounded`and supported at their upper ends by a casting such as that illustrated at 32 (Figs. 7 and 8). Each casting is equipped with flaring wings 33, which are arranged to form a continuation oi the guide Walls of side guides 36 and which facilitate'the entry and withdrawal of the side links 24 in and out of such guides as the grille is being uncoiled and coiled about its horizontal shaft located at 36. Each casting 32 is provided with anl inwardly 5 projecting lug 3.5, which may be screwed to the casting or cast integrally therewith as desired. This lug 35 acts as a limiting stop to prevent undue upward movement of the grille as itis coiled, acting in conjunction with a rigidifying angle bar 10 36 (Figs. 1 and 2) which may be suitably fastened to the links 2l at the lowermost portion of the grille. Casting 32 is additionally provided with screw or bolt openings to enable it -to be attached in the door frame by means of l5 screws 3l.

Heretofore it has been customary to lock openwork grilles in closed position by means of a locking device located at its lower extremity. Such locks are not conveniently accessible and 23 are subject to weathering from snow and water. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a locking device made from stock similar or identical in appearance with the remainder of the stock used in the grille, and con- 25 veniently located about waist high when the grille is closed. One such form of device is illustrated in Figs. l and 9, and comprises a pair of bolts 38 and 39, which are slidably mounted for lateral movement in especially designed con- 30 necting links l0 which, in addition to having the usualeyes 22 at their ends are each provided centrally with an additionalperforate eye di., The inner ends of bolts 38 and 39 are overlapped, as illustrated. Bolt 39 carries rigidly d@ therewith a strap t2 which slidably embraces the adjacent bolt 38 at d3, while bolt 38 likewise carries a strap Vlili which slidably embraces bolt 39 at d5. These straps each respectively carry locking lugs 43 and 41. Slidably carried by the ed overlapped portions of bolts 38 and 39 is a lock block 48 having therein a cylindrical type lock i9 of any suitable make. This cylinder lock is equipped with suitable tumblers adapted to fasten it in required position with respect to ed block 38, and the rotatable cylinder thereof carries withit a double hook 5D. The bolts 38 and 39 are adapted to be forced outwardly by squeezing the straps 32 and M toward each other to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, at which time 30 the outermost ends of the respective bolts are adapted to project outwardly beyond the side guides 30, through suitable lock openings (not shown) provided therein, these openings being located to register with the ends of the` bolts 55 when the grille is in vertical closed position. When the bolts are thus extended outwardly, the locking lugs 46 and M attain a mutually approaching position where" they are adapted to be held by the double hook element 50, upon 50 suitable rotation of the lock 39, which latter is adapted to be locked in this position. With such an arrangement any attempt to force the bolts 38 and 39 is exerted against the double hook 50 rather than against the relatively deli- 65 cate cylinder lock itself.' Preferably suitable springs 5l are located between a collar on each bolt and a convenient link 40 so as normally to urge such bolt into its innermost or unlocked position. and the stock of bolts 38 and 39 may 70 be hardened to resist cutting.

In Figs. 11 and 12 an alternative form of locking device is illustrated. involving bolts |39 and |33 having their inner ends overlapped and relatively confined by straps |52 and la, each 75 of which is rigidly fastened to one bolt and slidably engaged over the other adjacent bolt. The straps are adapted to be embraced by a padlock, and in operation, when it is desired to lock the grille, the straps |42 and l are squeezed together and such a lock is applied thereto to hold them in their mutually juxtaposed position. With this arrangement, the lock may conveniently be swung around to either side of the grille.

A generally similar form of grille, but one which is adapted to be assembled in a some- .what different mannen'is illustrated in Figs. 13

to 15. Here, a pluralityof laterally extending rods 220 are used, which are adapted to be flexibly interconnected by means of links 22| pro- 1 vided at their ends with eyes 222'. These eyes are prevented from slipping along the rods 220 by means of knobs or projections 223. Instead f being pinched or struck up on the rods 220 after positioning of the links 22| thereon, these knobs are preformed upon the rods prior to their assembly with the links. Such knobs are located at suitably spacedintervals along the rod wherever an eye 222 is to be confined and preferably are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs as therealong \by means of additional knobs such as 223 or by a ysuitable collar or shoulder indicated at 253. Outward movement of these links is prevented by a spring wire 254 which runs from the top to the bottom of the grille and is threaded through a suitable opening in the end of each rod. l This wire also serves to prevent undue rotation of the rods 220 with respect to -the notched eyes 222, and thus precludes undesired registry of the confining knobs 223 and notches 252y after assembly.

Each form of grille hereindescribed is capable of being readily and quickly manufactured, and most of the operations involved in their preparation may b e performed on machines. The grilles are readily able to roll up around a horizontal shaft, and may be attached toand suspended from such a shaft in any known or sult- 'ahle manner, andl the shaft may be provided with suitable springs or counterweights. as is readily understood in the art. It will be seen that there has been provided a flexible closure grille which is well adapted to fulfil its intended functions. i

,Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention.. could be made without departing l from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. y

It is also to be understood that the following .claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the seppe ofthe invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A exible grille comprising a plurality aof straight parallel rods, a plurality of spaced links spacing and flexibly interconnecting adjacent rods, said rods having integral projections extending therefrom and respectively confining l0 each link against movement therealong, and additional aligned end links interconnecting and pivotally mounted on the ends of adjacent rods, and vertical guides at the sides of said'grllle for confining said aligned end links to movement in l5 a vertical path.

2. A flexible grille adapted to be coiled about a horizontal shaft, comprising a plurality of laterally extending rods, li flexibly connecting adjacent rods, means confining said links against movement along said rods, at least some of said links being in vertical alignment, and means on such vertically alined links for directly compelling alinement between a link connecting two .adjacent rods and other alined links connecting other rods during coiling of the grille.

3. A flexible grille adapted to be coiled about a shaft, comprising a plurality of straight parallel rods, a plurality of links exibly connecting the intermediate portions of adjacent rods, additional aligned end links flexibly connecting the ends of said rods, and means on said end links directly compelling alinement between a link connecting two adjacent rods and other alined links connecting other rods during coiling of the grille.

l 4. A exible grille adapted to be coiled about a shaft, comprising a plurality of laterally ex- .tending rods, means exibly connecting adjacent rods including a series of links arranged in overlapping end to end relation, each pair of such links having overlapped ends rotatably mounted on one of said rods as a pivot, said overlapped endsbeing mutually offset with respect to their associated links so that said seriesV of links is arranged in vertical alignment, said links each having an aligning rib and an aligning groove arranged to hold said links in alignment during coiling of the grille.

5. A link for use in a grille having laterally 50 extending spaced rods, comprising a body portion having an aligning ri-b along one edge and an aligning groove along its reverse edge, and having perforate eyes'in its end portions, each eye forming a pivotal bearing for one of said rods. x

6. A link for use in a grille of the class described, comprising a.body.portion having an aligning rib along one edge and an aligning groove along its reverse edge, and having pery forate end portions, said portions being mutually onset on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said link. l

" 7. A flexible rollup grille fordoorways, comprising a plurality of straight parallel rods having knobs projecting therefrom, a plurality of links flexibly connecting adjacent rods, said links having perforate eyes equipped with slots enabling them to be slid over said knobs when in registry therewith, said knobs serving to confine said links against movement along said rods when in non-registry with said slots, and means for holding said knobs and slots out-of registry in' the assembled and `operative condition of thegrille.

8. A iiexible grille, comprising a plurality of straight parallel rods having knobs projecting therefrom, a plurality of links flexibly connecting adjacent rods, said links having perforate eyes equipped with slots enabling them to be slid over vsaid knobs during assembly of the grille, said knobs serving to conilne said links against movement along said rods when in nonregistry with said slots, and a continuous exible wire passing through said rods for holding said knobs and slots out of registry in the assembled condition of the grille. A

9. A flexible grille comprising a plurality of laterally extending rods, a plurality of links nexibly connecting adjacent rods, a pair of laterally extending locking bolts located between a pair of said rods and slidably mounted in the links extending therebetween, said bolts extending from side to side of said grille, and being formed of stock resembling saidl rods in appearance, and means for projecting the outer ends of said bolts beyond the sides of the grille for locking pluposes.

10. A ilexible grille comprising a plurality of aca'msa laterally extending rods, a plurality of links ilexibly connecting adjacent rods, a pair of laterally extending locking bolts slidably mounted in the links connecting an adjacent pair of said rods,

said bolts having their inner ends overlapped d and having their outer ends adapted to project beyond the sides of the grille for locking purposes when such inner ends are moved toward each other, and means for holding the inner ends of said bolts in mutually juxtaposed relation. i0

il. A exible grille comprising a plurality of laterally extending rods', a plurality of links nexibly connecting adjacent rods, a pair of laterally extending locking bolts slidably mounted in the links connecting an adjacent pair of said 115 rods, said bolts having their inner ends overlapped and each carrying a locking lug, a. rotatable cylinder lock mounted between said lugs and carrying a double hook element therewith, said hook element being adapted to be rotated t!) to engage and coniine said lugs upon mutual approach of the latter.

MILTON L. CORNELL. 

